(Paulding County, GA) The Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force made a significant seizure of illegal narcotics, including Fentanyl, along with guns and US Currency recently. On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force (NWGDTF), the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, Warrant Division, K-9 Unit, Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and the Transport Division, in addition to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Cartersville Office conducted an operation to execute an arrest and search warrant on Darrlin Vernard Warner, (B/M, 39 YOA) and his property. Deputies and Agents conducted the operation at Warner’s residence which is located at 45 Mayfield Court Hiram, GA.
The operation was the result of a month-long joint investigation by the NWGDTF and the FBI. During the service of the arrest warrant and search warrant, Warner was found to be in possession of a total of over 1 kilogram of fentanyl (37 ounces), 16 ounces of methamphetamine, 46 grams of heroin, 9 grams of cocaine, and a large quantity of pills.
Agents also seized five firearms and approximately $177,000.00 in U.S. currency believed to be the proceeds of his illegal drug trade. Warner is currently incarcerated at the Paulding County Jail where he is being held without bond. As a result of this investigation, Warner faces the following charges with multiple counts:

• VGCSA Trafficking Fentanyl (F)
• VGCSA Trafficking Methamphetamine (F)
• VGCSA Trafficking Heroin (F)
• VGCSA Possession of Cocaine (F)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime (F)

As the investigation progresses, more charges are likely.
Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force Commander Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Steven Sweatt stated, “This is a great example of local, state, and federal partners working together to identify, investigate, and arrest those responsible for putting this poison into our communities. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 1 kilogram (35 ounces) of Fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. Getting that amount of poison off our streets makes all the long days worthwhile.”
Sheriff Gary Gulledge remarked, “I am so thankful to have a partnership with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Because of these partnerships, we were able to rid the streets of Paulding County of these dangerous drugs. I commend all of the men and women who had a role in this operation.”
The Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force and Paulding County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Paulding County Fire/Rescue and Metro Ambulance services for assisting during the operation to ensure the safety of those coming into contact with these dangerous narcotics.
The NWGDTF, which is managed by the GBI, is located in Dallas, Georgia and services Haralson, Polk, and Paulding Counties. The Task Force is comprised of members from the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, Tallapoosa Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Police Department, Cedartown Police Department, Rockmart Police Department, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas Police Department, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Task Force Commander ASAC Steven Sweatt wants to encourage citizens to reach out to the Drug Task Force with their drug tips. If you have any information related to drug dealing in Haralson, Polk, or Paulding Counties, please call the Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force at (770) 646-9175 or send a message via the free Paulding Sheriff mobile app to report it. Reports can always be made anonymously.